Scientist / Senior Scientist Translational Biology

Character Biosciences•Brisbane, CA

8d•$115,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Character Biosciences is seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist to join its Biology team in Brisbane, California. This hands-on individual-contributor role leads preclinical mechanism-of-action research for two clinical-stage programs: a potential best-in-class complement inhibitor and a potential first-in-class lipid-modulating agent, both intended to slow retinal cell death and vision loss. The role will deepen understanding of how these assets work, evaluate next-generation forms of their mechanisms, and assess potential applications in additional diseases. The position reports to the Associate Director, Biology. Candidates with diverse scientific backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will reason across biological fields, identify where a mechanism may be relevant in human pathology, develop testable hypotheses, and design experiments to evaluate them. They will work hands-on at the bench, analyze data rigorously, and independently scope and troubleshoot experiments while also collaborating in a fast-paced environment. This is a full-time position with an annual pay range of $115,000–$170,000, plus equity and benefits. Compensation depends on factors including skills, experience, certifications, and work location. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

PhD in cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, or a related discipline.
At least 2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience.
Deep hands-on capability in mammalian cell culture and quantitative functional assays, including immunoassays, flow cytometry, high-content imaging, and qPCR.
Experience building and qualifying cell-based assays, including comparative potency assays that distinguish closely related variants.
Rigorous quantitative analysis, familiarity with basic statistical methods, and meticulous experimental documentation.
Evidence of thinking across unfamiliar biologies, such as moving into a new field or taking a mechanism into a new tissue or disease context.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and managing in vivo studies with CROs.
Experience evaluating AAV or other gene-therapy constructs, or protein-engineered variants, for expression, activity, or potency.
Research experience in complement biology, cholesterol and lipid trafficking, or ocular diseases.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and interpret in vitro studies that extend understanding of the mechanisms of action of clinical-stage assets in disease-relevant cell systems, including primary and iPSC-derived RPE, microglia, retinal, and endothelial models.
Evaluate next-generation forms of the mechanisms and alternative delivery approaches for retained expression, activity, and potency.
Build in vitro biology connecting clinical biomarker readouts to drug mechanism, and support interpretation of emerging clinical biomarker and PK data.
Assess new disease applications for existing mechanisms by building cell models and readouts in the relevant tissue context.
Collaboratively design and manage execution of in vivo pharmacology and PK/PD studies with CROs.
Present data and recommendations at internal and external meetings to audiences with diverse scientific backgrounds.